Apparatus for automatically storing by means of a program controlled shaft a product or quotient in a calculating machine

ABSTRACT

The specification discloses a calculating machine having function keys which include an actual value key and a storage key. The keys are coupled together so that the actual value key can be actuated alone while actuation of the storage key is prevented, but actuation of the storage key will also actuate the actual value key. Actuation of the storage key releases a lever which, upon movement by a spring, couples a storage device to a value rack. According to the present invention, movement of the lever is prevented if the capacity of the machine is exceeded. Movement of the lever is also prevented except when the machine is in condition to provide the result of a multiplication or division operation. In the first instance of preventing movement of the lever, a capacity checking device interposes an abutment for the lever and in the second instance the program shaft of the machine interposes an abutment except when the program shaft is in certain rotated positions.

United States Patent [72] Inventor wu Machme, 3,042,300 7/1962 Anderson 235/62 F M b Germany 3,263,916 8/1966 Baldus et a1. 235/60 R [21] A 1,N 12,971 3,302,875 2/1967 Kollmann et a1 23'5/60 M [22] Fil d F b, 20, 1970 3,315,889 4/1967 Thevis 235/145 [45] Pat nt d g,19,1971 3,526,356 9/1970 Hesse et a1 235/60.28 [73] Assignee glEl-lbl; G Primary Examiner-Stephen J. Tomsky '8 y An W lt B k 32 Priority Feb. 21, 1969 may a er cc er [33] Germany [31] P19 08 667.0

ABSTRACT: The specification discloses a calculating pp s FOR AUTOMATICALLY STORING machine having function keys which include an actual value BY MEANS OF A PROGRAM CONTROLLED key and a storage key. The keys are coupled together so that SHAFT A PRODUCT OR QUOTIENT IN A the actual value key can be actuated alone while actuation of CALCULATING MACHINE the storage key is prevented, but actuation of the storage key 6 Claims 6 Drawing FigS Will also actuate the actual value key.

Actuation of the storage key releases a lever which, upon [52] U.S.Cl 235/60 R, movement b a spring, couples a storage device to a value 235/62 F, 235/63 3 rack. According to the present invention, movement of the [51] Int. Cl G06c 7/02, lever i prevented if the capacity f the machine is exceeded 0069 23/00 Movement of the lever is also prevented except when the Fleld of Search 235/ R, machine is in condition to Provide the result f a l i i 62 63 E tion or division operation. In the first instance of preventing movement of the lever, a capacity checking device interposes [56] References Cited an abutment for the lever and in the second instance the pro- UNITED STATES PATENTS gram shaft of the machine interposes an abutment except 2,861,746 Ill 1958 Anderson 235/62 F when the program shaft is in certain rotated positions.

PATENTEDEIBT 19ml 7 3,513,990 SHEET 1 BF 2 INVE R. W/LHELM MAc ER PATENTEDnm 191ml 3, 513,990

SHEET 2 0F 2 INVENTOR. W/LHELM MACH/75R APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY STORING BY MEANS OF A PROGRAM CONTROLLED SHAFT A PRODUCT OR QUOTIENT IN A CALCULATING MACHINE The present invention relates to an apparatus for automatically storing by means of a program controlled shaft a product or quotient in a calculating machine by depressing one of the storage keys which initiate the multiplication or division, which storage key in coupled condition corresponds as to function to the actual value key and additionally, shortly after the product or quotient indication, causes the storage mechanism to actuate the main racks which contain the values. To this end, a pawl is employed which, when the actual value key is depressed, interrupts the subsequent pressing of the storage key and when the storage key is depressed and the actual value key is automatically also actuated, arrests both keys in their respective position until the calculating operation has been completed.

A heretofore known device of the above-mentioned type comprises a pawl which is substantially arc-shaped and is linked to an end of the key shank which is located opposite the storage key, said pawl being provided with an arc-shaped coulisse. The coulisse is engaged by a guiding pin which is connected to an angled portion of a frame plate. The storage key or the shank thereof has a laterally protruding car which is located directly above a similar ear of the actual value key and is adapted in response to a depression of the storage key to take along the actual value key. When the storage key is depressed, also the pawl is pivoted by means of a guiding pin, which pawl has the central portion thereof which faces the two ears provided with a toothed or prong-shaped protrusion serving as abutment for the two cars. This protrusion is located above the ears when the storage key is depressed and thereby arrests the storage key in the respective position until the machine releases the same. If the actual value key is actuated alone, its ear will be located in front of the abutment and thereby will prevent a tilting of the pawl and a subsequent depression of the storage key. When depressing the storage key, the respective calculating operation is initiated by the actual value key operatively connected to the storage key. At the same time, by means of a pushrod operable by an inclined surface on the shank of the storage key, which pushrod has one end engage a coulisse of the control rod, the latter is moved into the area of rotation of a cam disc arranged on the program shaft. Following the calculating operation and the printing of the total, the program shaft is by means of a slide operable by the actual value key, during the return stroke of the slide advanced by two steps, or a transport pawl acting in one direction only and linked to the slide is advanced by two steps. As a result thereof, the control rod is lifted above the cam disc. The control rod in its turn lifts by means of another slide which additionally responds to a depression of the plus key, a so-called rocker which directly cooperates with the storage mechanism. This rocker finally brings about the engagement of the storage mechanism wheels with the main racks containing the values. I

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which, while corresponding in principle to the abovementioned device, will have considerably less structural elements of a less complicated nature so that its production costs will be reduced, and which additionally will work at a lower noise level.

This object and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly from the following specification in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a top view of the key board of a calculating machine according to the invention.

FIG. 2a diagrammatically shows a storage key shank with pawl and a partially covered actual value key shank in its starting position.

FIG. 2b represents a device according to FIG. 2a with depressed storage key and with an actual value key operated thereby.

FIG. 20 illustrates a device according to FIG. 2a with a depressed actual value key.

- FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the overall device according to the invention together with some pertaining parts of the calculating machine.

FIG. 4 illustrates the program shaft and corresponding cam disc position when the storage mechanism is in lifted position.

The above objects have been realized according to the invention by a multiarm, preferably longitudinally axially-displaceable lever one arm of whichis connectable through a pivotable lever with the-storage key shank while another arm is connectable selectively to a device controlling the capacity, and while a third arm brings about the efiective position of the storage mechanism. As a criterium for a displacement of the lever there are necessary the release of the lever by the storage key, a position of the program shaft or the'camshaft associated with the lever for guiding and stroke-limiting, and numerical values within predetermined limits.

According to a further development of the invention, it is provided that the actual value key shank preferably has two angled off parts for operative connection with the storage key shank. One of the angled off parts is so designed as to underpin or extend below the storage key shank whereas the other angled off part serves as abutment or arresting element for the pawl or storage key and the shank thereof.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIG. I shows a field l which comprises the entire keyboard of a calculating machine not further illustrated. The keyboard comprises a 10- key system with the different keys 2 which are spaced from the keys 3-12 of the function key system. As will be seen from the symbols on the respective key, there is provided a plus key 3, a minus key 4, a noncalculating key 5, a multiplication key 6, a division key 7, an actual value key 8, an intermediate total key 9, a final total key 10, a constant key 11, associated with the actual value key 8. On the left-hand side of the lO-key system there is furthermore provided a constant setting key 13 while in the lower left-hand corner there is provided a slide 14 for cancelling the likewise nonillustrated pin carriage. In the right-hand upper corner there is finally provided a comma preselector slide 17 which is displaceable in a slot 15 along a scale 16.

The storage key shank 12' the lower portion of which is U- shaped is guided by means of differently long legs in recesses 18 and 19 of a stationary frame 20 (FIGS. 2a2c). Linked to the free end of the longer leg is a pawl 22 which has its central portion provided with at least one step 21. Paw] 22 cooperates with an angled-off portion 23 of the actual value key shank 8' which is only partially visible in FIGS. 24-20. A second angled-off portion 24 of the actual value key shank extends below the storage key shank 12 so that when the storage key 12 (FIG. 1) is depressed, the actual value key 8 is automatically also depressed (FIG. 2b). Both key shanks 8' and 12 will when the associated keys 8 and 12 are actuated, move in the direction of the arrow A against the thrust of a coil spring 25 each which are respectively slipped onto one arm 26 each of the key shanks and by means of one end rest on the respective key shank itself while with the other end resting on the frame 20. If, however, only the actual value key 8 (FIG. I) is depressed, the storage key 12 (FIG. 1) will not be affected but on the other hand can also later not be depressed because now the pawl 22, by means of the angled-ofi' portion 23 of the actual value key shank 8 is pressed directly behind the step 21 against the frame wall 20, and thus is blocked in its pressing direction or in the direction of the arrow A. i

As will be seen from FIG. 3, a pin 27 is connected to the shorter leg of the storage key shank 12'. Pin 27 engages a coulisse 28 of a lever 30 journaled at 29. If the actual key shank 8 alone is depressed, the multiplication or division will in a manner known per se be effected through the intervention of the pin 32 which is connected to the extension 31 of the actual value key shank, the deviating member 34 which is linked to pin 32 and is pivotable about the fixed shaft 33, and the angled-ofi portion 35 of member 34, which angled-off portion will lift a slide 38 from rail 37. Slide 38 rests by means of a nose 36 on a rail 37 against longitudinal axial displacement. When a motor (not illustrated) starts, the cam disc 41 is turned by means of a machine main shaft 39 designed as square head, and the pivotal member 42 which by means of a roller 40 rolls on the cam disc is pivoted about shaft 71 under the influence of,a tension spring 43. The above-described somewhat lifted slide 38 follows this movement under the influence of a further tensioning spring 44. The rear end of this slide 38 has a U-shaped recess 72 which is engaged by a bolt 73 connected to the pivotal member 42. At the end of each rotation of the machine main shaft, the released slide is again returned to its starting position. During its return stroke, the transporting pawl 48 linked to said slide 38 and by means of a spring 45 pressed against a transport control gear 46 will turn the program shaft 47 in clockwise directionthrough the intervention of said transporting gear. Said transporting pawl 48 is effective in one direction only.

Mounted on the program shaft 47 is a cam disc 52 which is provided with two oppositely located cams 49, 50 and a collar 51. The collar 51 is engaged by an arm 53 of a three-arm lever 53, 54, 55, said arm 53 being partially adapted to the radius of said collar. The free end of arm 53 ends in a hook 56 at the upper side and ends at an angled-off portion 58 at the lower side. Hook 56 when the lever occupies its normal position engages a similarly designed end 57 of the pivotal lever 30. The angled-off portion 58 is adapted to catch the arm 53 of lever 53, 54, 55, by means of cams 49 and 50 when the arm 53 after engagement of the storage key 12 (FIG. 1) and release of the engagement 56, 57 moves in the direction of the arrow B in view of the tension spring 59. The release of the engagement '6, 57 is brought about by the pivoting movement of lever 30 in counterclockwise direction by means of the coulisse 28. The disengagement of the parts 56 and 57 requires for the displacement additionally a certain position of the program shaft 47 or cam disc 52. The required position is obtained with a multiplication when the product is indicated which means after the first factor is keyed in, the multiplication key 6 (FIG. 1) is depressed, the second factor is keyed in and the storage key 12 (FIG. 1) is depressed, which includes the actuation of the actual value key 8. With a division, the said required position is obtained when the remainder is indicated after the dividend has been keyed in, the division key 7 (FIG. 1) has been depressed, the divisor has been keyed in and the storage key 12 (FIG. 1) has been depressed. These positions will be seen particularly from FIG. 4 with the position a for the multiplication and the position b for the division. As third criterium for a displacement of arm 53 or lever 53, 54, 55 in the direction of arrow B it is furthermore necessary that the calculating operations will as to figures be efiected within the predetermined limits which means that the capacity must not be overdrawn. The capacity overdraw, if present, will be effective for the storage mechanism 78, 79 to be described further below through the intervention of arm 54 of lever 53, 54, 55. Linked to arm 54 is a member 6!, the lower side of which is provided with a nose 60. Member 61 is held in its normal position by means of a spring 62 which is likewise unilaterally connected to said arm 54. If now a capacity overdraw should occur, a bar 64 provided with an angled-off portion 63, whose control means is not illustrated will move out in a direction counter to the direction of the arrow B and will, by means of the angled-off portion 63 catching the nose 60 of member 61, arrest lever 53-55 through its arm 54 whereby the entrance of a value into the storage mechanism 78, 79 will not occur.

The lever 53-55 has its central portion furthermore provided with an oblong hole 90 which is engaged by a pin 91 which is connected to the slide 38. This pin, when the calculating machine is in its rest position, engages the front end of the oblong hole 90 the length of which corresponds to the stroke to be performed by the slide 38 or pin 91 so that the slide 38 can move by itself but the lever 53, 54, 55 can move only together with the slide 38, 38.

If, however, no capacity overdraw is present, and if the interengagement of parts 56, 57 is released after the storage key 12 (FlG. 1) has been depressed through shank l2 and the control members 27-30 and if the program shaft 47 with its cam disc 52 is in a corresponding position, the arm 55 of lever 53-55 turns lever 67in a counterclockwise direction. Lever 67 is pivotable on shaft 66 which is connected to the machine wall 65. This lever 67 which has its free end hook-shaped catches a pin 69 which is provided on a lever 68 pivotally connected to the wall 65. Pin 69 will then slide along the cam path 74 and will turn the lever 68 in clockwise direction. Another pin 75 which is connected to the pivotal lever 68 has its free end in engagement with a unilaterally open oblong hole 76 of the so-called selector lever 77 which controls the storage mechanism which comprises primarily only two gears 78, 79. The two gears are supported by a frame 80 which, by means of a deviating bolt 81 fixed to the frame, engages a kidneyshaped oblong hole 82 of a disc 83 which hole has a width of conformity with the diameter of the bolt. Disc 83 is at 84 connected to the control selector lever 77 and by means of the latter is pivoted in clockwise direction about the shaft 85. The lifting movement is brought about by the bar 86 which is controlled by the machine main shaft 39 (in a manner not shown). The pendulum movement in and counter to the direction of the arrow B permits the angled-off portion 87 of bar 86 normally to slide in the unilaterally open slot 88 of the selector lever 77. Only if after previously efiected pivoting movement of the lever 68 in clockwise direction will the angled-oi? portion while performing its stroke, in its rear position push into a notch 89 located on the front side and pertaining to the lever 77 and will press the storage mechanism into engagement with the pertaining main rack 92.

It is, of course, to be understood that the present invention is, by no means, limited to the showing in the drawing, but also comprises any modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a calculating machine having function keys and a program control shaft and a main shaft, an actual value key, a storage key adjacent said actual value key, a storage device normally in ineffective position and adapted for control by said storage key, coupling means coupling said storage key to the actual value key for operation of the latter simultaneously with the former, said coupling means preventing actuation of the storage key after the actual value key has been actuated and also holding both said keys in actuated position in response to the actuation of said storage key until a calculating operation is completed, a longitudinally reciprocable lever in said machine, a spring biasing said lever in one direction, means interposed between said lever and said storage device whereby said lever when moved by said spring in said one direction is operable to move said storage device into effective position, a latch engaging said lever, a slot in said latch, a pin engaging said slot and connected to said storage key to cause said latch to release said lever for reciprocation by said spring in said one direction when said storage key is actuated, said machine including a capacity checking device and means on said lever and cooperating with said capacity checking device operable to prevent movement of said lever by said spring when the machine capacity is exceeded, said lever having a region adjacent said program control shaft, and a cam on said program control shaft operable to engage said region to said lever and prevent movement of said lever in said one direction by said spring except in predetermined rotated positions of said program shaft.

2. A calculating machine according to claim 1, in which said storage key comprises: a shank, the end of said shank opposite said storage key comprising a pair of dependent legs, a pawl member pivoted to one of said legs, said pawl being parallel to said one leg and having an inclined intermediate portion between the ends thereof, a stationary member in said machine having apertures reciprocably receiving said legs and the aperture for said one leg also reciprocably receiving said pawl, said pawl tilting on said one leg as the said inclined portion passes through said member during movement of said storage key, said inclined portion in the unactuated position of said storage key being located immediately above said member.

3. A calculating machine according to claim 2, in which said actual value key comprises a shank, a pair of angled-off portions on said actual value key shank, one of said angled-off portions being disposed directly beneath a surface on said storage key shank to cause actuation of said actual value key whenever said storage key is actuated, the other of said angled-off portions being positioned adjacent the plane of the side of said pawl toward which the pawl tilts when the storage key is actuated, actuation of said actual value key to a position in advance of said storage key disposing said other angled-off portion adjacent said side of said pawl so that tilting of said pawl on the said one leg of said storage key shank is prevented and thereby actuation of the storage key is prevented after the actual value key is actuated, said other angled-off portion position that said pawl is free to an key is not advanced beyond said being disposed in such a when said actual value storage key.

4. A calculating machine according to claim 1, in which said latch is a two arm lever pivoted in said machine and having said slot formed in the end of one arm and an angled-ofi portion on the end of the other am, said lever having a notch engageable by the angled-ofi portion on the end of said other arm.

5. A calculating machine according to claim 1, which includes cam means on said main machine shaft operable for returning said lever to latched position at the end of a machine cycle.

6. A calculating machine according to claim 1, in which said rotated positions of said program control shaft correspond to positions thereof in which results of multiplication or division operations can be taken from the machine. 

1. In a calculating machine having function keys and a program control shaft and a main shaft, an actual value key, a storage key adjacent said actual value key, a storage device normally in ineffective position and adapted for control by said storage key, coupling means coupling said storage key to the actual value key for operation of the latter simultaneously with the former, said coupling means preventing actuation of the storage key after the actual value key has been actuated and also holding both said keys in actuated position in response to the actuation of said storage key until a calculating operation is completed, a longitudinally reciprocable lever in said machine, a spring biasing said lever in one direction, means interposed between said lever and said storage device whereby said lever when moved by said spring in said one direction is operable to move said storage device into effective position, a latch engaging said lever, a slot in said latch, a pin engaging said slot and connected to said storage key to cause said latch to release said lever for reciprocation by said spring in said one direction when said storage key is actuated, said machine including a capacity checking device and means on said lever and cooperating with said capacity checking device operable to prevent movement of said lever by said spring when the machine capacity is exceeded, said lever having a region adjacent said program control shaft, and a cam on said program control shaft operable to engage said region to said lever and prevent movement of said lever in said one direction by said spring except in predetermined rotated positions of said program shaft.
 2. A calculating machine according to claim 1, in which said storage key comprises: a shank, the end of said shank opposite said storage key comprising a pair of dependent legs, a pawl member pivoted to one of said legs, said pawl being parallel to said one leg and having an inclined intermediate portion between the ends thereof, a stationary member in said machine having apertures reciprocably receiving said legs and the aperture for said one leg also reciprocably receiving said pawl, said pawl tilting on said one leg as the said inclined portion passes through said member during movement of said storage key, said inclined portion in the unactuated position of said storage key being located immediately above said member.
 3. A calculating machine according to claim 2, in which said actual value key comprises a shank, a pair of angled-off portions on said actual value key shank, one of said angled-off portions being disposed directly beneath a surface on said storage key shank to cause actuation of said actual value key whenever said storage key is actuated, the other of said angled-off portions being positioned adjacent the plane of the side of said pawl toward which the pawl tilts when the storage key is actuated, actuation of said actual value key to a position in advance of said storage key disposing said other angled-off portion adjacent said side of said pawl so that tilting of said pawl on the said one leg of said storage key shank is prevented and thereby actuation of the storage key is prevented after the actual value key is actuated, said other angled-off portion being disposed in such a position that said pawl is freE to tilt when said actual value key is not advanced beyond said storage key.
 4. A calculating machine according to claim 1, in which said latch is a two arm lever pivoted in said machine and having said slot formed in the end of one arm and an angled-off portion on the end of the other arm, said lever having a notch engageable by the angled-off portion on the end of said other arm.
 5. A calculating machine according to claim 1, which includes cam means on said main machine shaft operable for returning said lever to latched position at the end of a machine cycle.
 6. A calculating machine according to claim 1, in which said rotated positions of said program control shaft correspond to positions thereof in which results of multiplication or division operations can be taken from the machine. 